The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Seize The Time to grab chance
RACING: Burke’s filly can cope with swift rise in class
SEIZE THE TIME can provide a moment to enjoy for her supporters in Newbury’s Byerley Stud Stakes.
Karl Burke once again has a fine crop of juveniles housed at his Middleham yard this summer, and it is therefore telling that he sends this winning debutante south for today’s Listed assignment.
It appears to be a handpicked mission against a field populated largely by more experienced contemporaries, but none with a profile to dampen enthusiasm for the Yorkshire challenge.
Phoenix Thoroughbred’s 120,000 euro acquisition paid an immediate, if modest dividend, when she got off the mark with the minimum fuss at Beverley last month.
That form is not compelling, although the runner-up and third that day do have three victories on their combined CV.
Seize The Time is bred to stay significantly further than the five furlongs there or here, but she got the job done decisively in the manner of a filly well capable of overcoming this swift yet far from insurmountable rise in class.
OTTOMAN COURT is up against several unknown quantities in the opening Unibet EBF Maiden Stakes.
But on the basis of his two efforts in defeat so far, beaten favourite on both occasions, Charlie Appleby’s colt sets a significant standard - and one which is highly likely to stretch the short-term aspirations of his 10 opponents.
He found Visinari much too good when runner-up at Newmarket last time.
That winner has experienced his own apparent limitations at Group Two level twice since, but has run well enough to uphold the form and indicate Ottoman Court has fine prospects of breaking his duck at this slightly longer trip.
Two newcomers catch the eye at Nottingham. DANYAH is drawn wide in the MansionBet EBF Maiden Stakes but is bred to get motoring quickly for high-profile connections.
COURT ORDER has a less speedy pedigree which should be well-suited to the extended mile of the MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Stakes, against nine opponents yet to notably distinguish themselves.
EULA VARNER is top of the shop in the MansionBet Fillies’ Handicap.
But the lightly-raced mare has done enough in her three starts this season to indicate she is getting accustomed to her new rating.